Distant-control valve



June 12, 1928 1,673,451

A. J. HARTFIELD ET AL DISTANT CONTROL VALVE Filed Ma 12, 1924 M I I 11/01/06! 051-00 6,

ports.

Patented June 12, 1928.

' v UNITED ,S'TA

TES

AUGUST 3'. HARTFIELD"AND WALLACE HOL-IBRQOK, 10F LOS ANGELES,"CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNORS TO EAGIFIC GAS RADIATOR COMPANY, OF LOS..ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

nIsnAnr-coNrRo VALVE.

Application filed May 12,

This invention relates generally to valves and valve actuating means, and more particularly has to do with .distant control valves.

In the preferred embodiment of our invention, the valve is provided with a plurality of transverse bores of varying effective diameters, all. intercepted by a common valve plug adapted to be rotated to bring its ports into successive registerWith said transverse bores to provide open Ways through the valve. e preferably employ electromagnet means for accomplishing the rotation of the plug, as .such means is especially desirable from the standpoint of distant control. y T d An illustration of the adaptability of such a valve to a particular purpose may be described in connection withgas. burning furnaces. In such a situation, our valve is interposed in the gas line leading to thefui nace, and a control switch'electrically connected to the valve actuating means is ,preferably located in or near the roomto be heated by that particular furnace.

WVe provide an actuating plunger which is adapted tobe moved longitudinally, preferably by an electro-magnet, and a novel mechanism translates this longitudinal movement into rotative movement on thepart' of the valve plug. The translating mechanism and valve ports are so coordinated that successive movements roiflthe plunger accomplish In a copending application Filed by ,us ill lay 12th, 1924, Ser.No. 712,752, we have illustrated and described a translating mechanism wherein the plug rotation is, accomplishedthrough the COIl'lblHBCl rotative move ment of the plunger as brought about by a spiral engagement between the plunger and a fixed casing," and a spiralengagement; between theplung'er and ainember carriedby the plug' The spiral engagement between plunger and plug carried inember necessitates the provision of special means, iorjdiverting the force of plunger thrust from the plug, proper, in order that theplug will not become driven into, its seat with, suflicient force to cause valve binding which i night result in failure of theactuatingmechanism.

However, in carryingout the present insuccessive registry and blanking oithe 1924. Serial No; 712,753.

vention Weneedprovide no spiral engagement between plunger and plug carried member since thedegree ofplunger rotation accomplished through thespiral engage ment of the plunger with the fixed casing is suflicient to rotate the plug-through proper angles upon each downstroke of the plunger. 'lheconnection between plunger and' plug carried member need only be inv the nature oifapinand vertical slot arrangement, and

theplug carried memberbeingbfree of end thrust, no j binding v action on v the plug is broughtabout, and therefore no specialarrangements need beprovided to prevent the plug fi'om binding, as is true .in theactuat ing means disclosed in said copending application.

Other features of n'ovelty fand objects .of

ourinvention will be morefully described thegvalve actuating plunger at/the limit of Fig; 5 is a horizontal section: on, line 5+5 of. Fig. 1.

At 10 is indicated a usual valve bodvhavingmajor bores 11 and 12 separated by a partition 13, the latter being provided With a taperedfval've seat 14: adapted to receive valve plug 15, said plug being tapered conr pleinentarily tojthe seat. The diametrically opposed bores 11? and 12 impartition 13 communicate with bores 11 and "'12, respectively; while "diametrically opposed bores Illand 12" also communicate with bores 11 and12, respectively. Asa means for vary ing 'the eilective'diameter ofthe valve bores,

port in horizontal alinement with the full open and restricted bores and is adapted to be broughtjinto successive register with each set ofdiam'etrically opposed bores" upon the plug being rotated.

I In theipresent showing I have illustrated plug-215 as, being arranged to .rotate through an angle of sixty degrees upon each actuation thereof and it willbe clearly seen that a complete revolution of the plug caused by,

I 12 iscnti'rely cut or. As p1ug15 is allowed to rotate in but one direction, the successive valvepositions during a complete revolution of plug 15 will be as followszfFull open, as shown]; closed; restrictedrfull open; closed; and restricted. Of cours e, it is within the province of our invention to providebores in varying numbers and means for moving the plug 15 through correspondingly Varied angles, but itwill servethe purpose of description to explain the entire'niechanism as being adapted to; accomplish the above specific relative movement.

Plug, 15 is held properly seated and freely rotatable within the valve by such means as ren'iovably mounted coil spring 18.] Cap 19 protects the spring and is frictional ly' retained on boss 20 of body 10. The shank '21 of plug 15 is slotted at 22 to receive across bar 23' carried by tubular extension 24 0f rim cam. .Tubular extensions 24 loosely encircles shank 21' and'tog'ether with the slot; and cross bar connection just described allows limitedlongitudinal movement of the plug 15 with respectfto lmember 25 whereby the seating of plug 15 is in no way affected by longitudinal thrust exerted on member 25. The upper face of the valve body 10. is re: cessed at 10 to receive thrust bearing 26, the race 26. thereof, being pressed on extension 21 and the periphery of race 26 engaging the walls which define recess 10. It-will be seen that since the lower face of the bearing 26 I so rests on the valve body, thrust imparted to member 25. will be taken up bythebearing which also serves toaid in the axial alinement of rotatable member 25 with respect to plug 1 5'and the plunger, to be described.

Disk: 27 which is adapted to rotate asone with member 25 and plug 15, serves asa convenient means for mounting contact members (not shown) fora signal system adaptto indicate the position of plug bore '15. relativeltothe valvebody bores. Anexample of such contact' niembers and systems is illustrated and described inour copending application filedQApril 7,;1923, Ser. No. 630,564. v I Ainetallic casing 31 is positioned on valve body 10 by screw-s32, and a solenoid 33, iron clad by reason of being enclosed in casing 31 and between the metallic upper and lower plates 34 and-35,; IBSPGCtlVBlY, is provided witha plunger or core 36 which has an extension 37, preferably non-magnetic, slidable through an aperture in pole-piece 38, the

latter bcingthrcaded into the coil supporting structure of the solenoid. An expansive coil spring-39 encircles plunger 36 and is interposed between a shoulder 40 thereon and pole-piece 38 in a manner to normally urge said plungerto its uppermost limit of travel,

this limit being established by contact of an actuating 01111144, non-movably fixed on the plunger, with the pole-piece or by the engagement of collar 40 with shoulder 4.0. I

Preferably. the upper extremity of spring 39 is secured to plunger 36 at shoulder .40, and the lower end of the spring is secured pole-piece 38 at 41. The spring tends to rotate the plunger in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed from above Fig. 1.

A cam pin 46 is mounted on the upper axis. Spring 39 tends to retain the left side face of the groove defining wall in engagement with pin46, but the yieldability of the spring allows an interruption ofsuch .engagement during certain periods of valve actuation. a H y Actuating cam 44: has across bar 52 which. when in the upper onstartingposition of Figure 1, is in vertical alinement with certain of the vertical slots 53 provided in cam 25. The slots are six in number and are spaced at equal angles. Plug bore 15 is axially parallel withone pair of diametrically opposite notches 53, solsuccessive 60 rotationsof cam 25 brings about the hereinbefore described sequence valve opening and closing movements. y y We have shown solenoid 33 in circuit with a sourceof electricity B. the circuit being controlled by switch 54. When the solenoid is energized by closingthe circuit,plunger 36 moves longitudinally towards center in the usual manner. During initial movement.

while pin 46 and face 49are in engagement. the plunger moves down without rotation and cross bar 52 enters registering slots 53;

Continued depression of the plunger, brings spiral facei5O into engagement with pin 46 which causes aclockwise rotation of plunger 36 and hence of cam 25 and plug 15, the slidi-ngside engagement between slot andbar being in the nature of a lost motion connection. The spiral is of such a lead aswill cause a 60 "rotation of the plunger and plug during each full plunger depression, and this rotation accomplishes the desired valve change. y

lVhen solenoid 33 is de-energized by opening its circuit, spring 39 immediately raises plunger 36. As long as bar 52 engages slots 53, the plunger will move up without eoincident rotation, the inertiaot. plug and its associated elements and the frictional reance to such rotation being sufficient to ollset the eil'ort of spring 39 to rotate the plunger counter-clecl:wise.. The straight side face 51, of course allows this relative longitudinal movement, withoutrelative rotat-ion, bet-ween plunger 36 and tube -17.

hen bar clears cam 25, spring 39 acts to rotate-plunger 36 counterclockwise until face 49 strikes pin 4:6, the plunger continuing r in its upward movement and returning to its starting position, as shown in Fig. l,'where it lies with bar 52 in register with the newly presented slots The corners 55 of cam 25 may be chamfered slightly to allow'bar 52' to enter the notclufs'even tl'iough saidbar and notches lie slightly out of vertical alinement.

' l vhil'e weh ave shown'ancl described a preferred einbodiinent of our invention, we do notwish to be limited thereto except to-r such limitations-as the claims may import.

We claim:

1. In a valve embodying a rotatable plug, a plunger, a' plunger support in fixed relation with respect tothe plug, saidplunger being in alin'ement with and movable longitudinally through its support towards and away from the plug, means for limiting the movement of the plungerai'vay from the plug, a tubular member carried by the plug in end to end relation with the plunger, said member having a plurality of serrations on its plunger opposed end, one defining wall of each serration beingsubstantiallyparallel to the plug axis. a bar on the plunger in alinement with but spaced from a given serration when the plunger is at its limit of movement away from the plug, mea'ns'for moving the }ilunger longitudinally, means adapted tohold the bar in alinement with said given serration during movement of the plunger towards theplug until said cross tubular a plungerwa plunger support sin? fixed -rela tion withrespeet'to theiplug, saidplunger being in ahnement with and movable longitudinally through itssupport towards :and

away from tlieplug, means for limiting the movement of the plunger away from the plug, a tubular member carried by the plug in end toend relation with the 'plunger,said member having a plurality ofserrations on its plunger opposed end,"- one defining wall;

of each serration'beingsubstantially parallel to theq filug axis, a bar-lionthe-plunger in alinementrwith butspaced from a givenserration when the plunger is at its limit of movementaway h'om the plug, means for moving the plunger, means zidrqvted to hold the bar in ahneinent with said given serra tion during:lmovement of the plungertowards the-plug until said cross car enters said ;serration, and means on the plunger and plunger support adapted to have spiral engagement during a continuation of said plunger movement towards the'plug whereby the bar is rotated and enga es said one wall of the given s'erration to impart "rotary movement to: the plug-and without impos ing end thrust onthe tubular member or plu the spir'z'ilengagementbeing such that theplug rotation efiieeted thereby is of a deone defining wall of each serration being substantially parallel to the plug axis, a bar on theplunger in alinement with but spaced from a given 'serrati'on when the plunger at its limit e't'niovement away from the plug, yield-able means for holding the plunger at its limit of movement away from the plug, means for ino'ving'the plunger longiudinally towards the plug,means adapted to hold the bar in alinement'wi'th said given serration during movement of the plunger towards the pltig intilsaitl crossbar enters said serration, and means ontheplunger and plunger support adapted to have spiral-engagement during a continuation of saidplunger towards the plug whereby the bar is rotated and engages said one wall of the given serration to impart rotary movement to the plug and without imposing end "thrust on the tubular' member or plug.

4i In a valve embodying arotatable plug, a punge t plungersupportin fixed relation with respect to the plug; saidyplunger being in alinement with and movable longitudinally through its support:towards and away from the plug, means for limiting the movement of the plunger away from the plug, a'tubular member carried by the plug in end to end relationwith the plunger, said member having a plurality of'serrations on its plunger opposed end, one defining wall of eachserration being substantially parallel to the plug axis, a bar on the plunger in alinement with but spaced from a given serration when theplunger is at itslimit of movement away from the plug, means for moving the plunger longitudinally, means adapted'to hold the bar in alinement with said given serration during movement of the plunger towards the plug until said cross bar enters said serration, and cam means on the plunger and plunger support'adapted to have spiral engagement during a continuation of said plunger movement towardsthe plug whereby the bar is rotated and engages said onewall of the given serration to impart rotary movementto the plug and without imposing end thrust on the tubular member or plug; said cam means beinginoperative durin g subsequent longitudinal movement of the crossbar enters sald serrat1on, cam, nieanson ill plunger away from the plug, whereby. during such subsequent movement, said plug is unafl'ected by said plunger movement.

5. In a Valve embodyinga rotatable plug, a plunger, a plunger support in, fixed relation with respect to the plug, said plunger being in alinementwith and movable longi: tudinally through itsfsupport towards and away from the plug, means for limiting the movement of the plunger away from the plug, a tubular member'carried by theplug mend to end relation with the plunger, said member having a plurality of serrations on itsplunger opposed end, one defining wall of each serration being substantially parallel to the plugaxis. at bar on the plunger. in

alincment with but spaced from a given serration when the plunger is at its llmlt of movement away trom the plug. means for moving the plunger longitudinally, means adapted to hold thetbar in alinement with said given serration duringf novement of the plungertowards the plug untilsaid the plunger and plunger support adapted to have spiral engagement during a continuation of said plunger movement towards the plug whereby the bar is rotated and engages said one wall of the given serration to impart rotary'movement to the plug and without imposing end thrust on the tubular memher or plug; said cam meansrbeing inoperative during subsequent longitudinal "movement of the plunger away from the plug, whereby, during such subsequent movement, saidplug isunafiiected by said plunger movement,'and yieldable means adapted torotate the plunger in a manner to return said bar to being in alinement with and movable longi tudinally through its support towards and away from the plum-means for limiting the movement of the plunger awayi'rom, the

plug, a tubular member carried bylhe plug inend tolend relation with the plunger, said member having a plurality of serrations on its plunger opposed end,-one defining wall of 7 each serration being substal'ltially parallel tov the plug axis, a bar on the plunger in alinvment with but spaced from a given serration when the plunger is at its limit o'l movement away fromthc,i'ilugvmeaus for moving the plunger longitudinally towards the plug, means adaptedto hold the bar in alinement with said given serration during n'iovement oftheplunger towards the plug until said cross bar enters said serration, means on the plunger and plunger support adapted to have spiral engagement during a continuation of said plunger movement towards the plug whereby the bar is rotated and engages said one wall of the given serration to impart ro tary movement to the plug and without imposing end thrust onthc tubular member or plugfand yieldable means adapted to return the plunger to its limit of moven'ient away from the plunger and to rotate the plunger in a manner to return said bar to its initial position. y I 7 7 In a valve embodying a rotatable plug, a plunger,- a plunger supportin fixed relation with respect to the plug, said plunger being in alinement with and movable longitudinally through its support towards and away from the plug, means for limiting the movement of the, plunger away from the plug, a tubular men'iber carried by the plug. in end to end relation with the plunger,.said member having a plurality of serrations on its plunger opposed end, one defining wall of each serration being substantially parallel to the plug axis, a bar on the plunger in tlllllLlTlGllt with but spaced from a given serration when theplunger is at its limit of movement away from the plug, means for moving the plunger longitudinally, means adapted to hold the bar in alinement with said given serration during movement of the plunger towards the plug until said cross bar enters'said serration, means on the plunger and plunger support adapted to havespiral engagement during a continuation ofsaid plunger movement towards the plug whereby the bar is rotated and engages said one wall of thegiven serration to impart rotary movement to the plug and without imposing end thrust on the tubular member or plug; and yieldable means iadapted to rotate the ltlll bar is disengagedfrom said-one wall of the given serration during such subsequent longitudinal movement, i

8. In a valve ei nbodying a rotatable ported plug, a plunger, a plunger supportin fixed relation, with respect to the plug, said plunger being in alinement with an movable longitudinally through its support towards: and away from the plug, means for limiting the movement of the plunger away from the plug, a tubular member carried by the plug in end to end relation with the plunger, saidmember having a plurality of equi-spaccd serrations on its plunger opposed end, one defining ;wall of each serration being substantially parallel. to the plug axis, a baron the plunger in alinen'ient with but spaced from a given serration when the iilunger is at its limitof movement away from the plug, means for moving the plunger lon itudinally means ada ated to hold the bar in alinement with said given serration during movement o'tthe plunger towards the plug until said cross bar enters snidserration, and means on the plunger and plunger support adapted to have spiral engagement movement during a continuation of said plunger towards the plug whereby the bar isrotated and engages said one wall of the given serration to impart rotary movement to the plug and without imposing end thrust on the tubular member or plug, the spiral engagement being such that the plug rotation effected thereby is of a degree to bring the succeeding serration into the initial position of said given serration, and to efiect a predetermined change in the relative position of ports provided in the valve'body and plu 9. in a valve embodying a rotatable plug, a plunger, a plunger support in fixedprelation with respect to the plug, said plunger being movable longitudinally through its support towards and away from the plug, means for moving the plunger longitudinally. means for limiting the movement of the plunger away from the plug, a member carried by the plug in end to end relation with the plunger and having a plurality'of serrations on its plunger opposed end, a member on the plunger adapted to enter one of the serrations when the plunger is moved longitudinally towards the plug, and means on the plunger and plunger support adapt ed to have spiral engagement during continuation of said movement of the plunger towards the plug and after sa-id'plunger carried member has entered said serration, whereby said plunger carried member is rotated and engages the plug carried member to impart rotary movement to the plug without imposing end thrust on said plug carried member.

10. Ina valve embodying arotatableplug, a'plunger, a plunger support in fixed relation with respeet to thexplug, said. plunger being movable longitudinally through its support towards and away from the plug,

means for moving the plunger longitudinally, means'for limiting the movement oi the plunger away from the plug, a member carried by the plug inendto end relation with the plunger and having a plu rality of equi-spaced serrations on its plunger opposedend, a member on the plunger adapted to enter one oi the serrations when the plunger is moved longitudinally towards the plug, and means on the plunger and plunger supportadapted to have spiral en gagement during continuation of said movement of the plunger towards the plug and after said plunger carried member has ontered said serration, whereby said plunger carried member is rotated and engages the plug carried member to impart rotary movement to i the plug without imposing end thrust on saidp.lug carried member, the

spiral engagement being such that the plug rotation effected thereby is of a degree to bring the succeeding s'erration into the initial'position' of saidone serration." k

11. In a valve embodying a rotatable plug, a plunger, :1 plunger support in fixed relation with respect to the plug, said plunger being movable longitudinally through its support towards and away from theplug;

means for moving the plunger longitudinally, means forlimiting the movement of the plunger away from the plug, a member carried by the plug in end to end relation with the plunger and having a pluralityof equi-spaced serrations on its plunger 0pposed end, a member on the plunger adapted to enter one of the serrations when the plunger is moved longitudinally towards the plug, and means on the plunger and plunger support adapted to have spiral engagement during continuation of said movement of the plunger towards the pluoand after said plunger carried member has entered said serration, whereby said plunger carried member is rotated and engages the plug carried member to impart rotary movement to the plug without mposing end thrust on said plug carried member, the spiral en gagement being such that the plug rota-' tion efi'eeted thereby is of a degree to bring the succeeding serratlon into the initial position of said one serration; and yieldable tion with respect to the plug, said plunger being movable longitudinally through its support towards and away from the plug,

means for moving the plunger longitudi= nally, means for limiting the movement of during continuation of said movement of the plunger towards the plug and after said plunger carried member has entered said serration, whereby said plunger carried member is rotated and engages the plug carried member to impart rotary movement to the plugwithout imposing end thruston said plug carried member, the spiral ongagement being such that the plug rotation efi'ected thereby isof a degree to bring the succeeding serration into; the initial position of said one serration; and yieldable. means adapted to return the plunger to, its limit of movement awayfrom the plunger and to rotate the "plunger in a manner to return said plunger carried member to, its initial position. a y i v i, a

' 13. vIn a valve embodying a rotatable plug,

7 a plunger, a plunger support in fixed relationwith respectto the plug, said plunger being movable longitudinally through its support towards and awa Y from the plug, means for movin the p unger longitudinally, means for limiting the movement of the plunger away from the plug, yieldable means for holdingthe plunger at its limit of movement away fromthe plug, amember carried by the plug in end to end relation with the plunger and having a plurality of serrations on its plunger opposed end, a member on the plunger adapted to enter one of the serrations when the plunger is moved longitudinally towards the plug, and means on the plunger and plunger support adapted to have spiral engagement during continuation of said movement of the plunger towards the plug and after said plunger carried member has entered said serration, whereby said plunger carried member is rotated and engages the plug carried member to impart rotary movement to the plug without imposing end thrust on said plug carried member.

In 'witnessthat we claim the foregoing we have hereunto subscribed our names this 19th day of April 1924.

AUGUST J. HARTFIELD. WALLACE HOLBROOK. 

